Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Review 2026: Han River Views & Pool

From sunrise to bedtime, my stay at Hotel Naru lets you soak in the Han River view all day long!

I first visited Hotel Naru a few winters ago with my mom,

And let me tell you, going back on a beautiful day made enjoying the Han River view outdoor pool absolutely divine!

Whether you're with family or a special someone, Hotel Naru's rooms and outdoor pool are perfect – here are my best tips & a review!

Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Hotel

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- Hotel Basic Information (Location/Address, Check-in/Check-out, Pool)

- Usage Information

- Room Review

- Outdoor Pool, Pool Review

- Other: Breakfast / Restaurant / Bar

- Recommended Han River View Hotels in Seoul

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Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Hotel

Location, Address:

8 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 04176

It's right next to Mapo Station,

offering fantastic access to all of Seoul's hotspots – Yeouido, Hongdae, Yongsan, and even the Gangnam area are all within easy reach!

- Mostly Han River view rooms

- Enjoy complimentary access to both the outdoor infinity pool and the indoor pool as a guest! Feel free to use them multiple times during your stay, unless otherwise noted.

- Check-in 15:00, Check-out 11:00

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I first visited Hotel Naru Seoul a few years ago, not long after it opened, with my mom – who's usually quite the 'travel-averse' type, preferring home comforts over adventures! We went in winter,

and let me tell you, the Han River view and nightscape outside our window, from sunset into the evening, were so breathtakingly beautiful that even my mom – who usually gets 'home-sick' the moment we leave – absolutely loved it!

Back then, even though the outdoor pool was open in winter, it was simply too chilly – we snapped a few quick photos and immediately dashed back inside..

Fast forward a few years, and I had the chance to revisit. Going now, on a gorgeous day like today,

it's truly an utterly, mind-blowingly amazing place!

Especially the outdoor infinity pool, with the Han River gently flowing before your eyes, was absolutely captivating… a truly moving experience!

There were plenty of families with little ones, and lots of couples enjoying a romantic getaway.

With our little one, we made sure to avoid the busiest times, allowing us to truly make the most of our outdoor swimming experience…

I'll even share my insights on what it's like at various times, further below!

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2. Hotel Naru Seoul Han River Hotel Rooms

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We had decided from the start that we would go to Hotel Naru for a swim,

so we packed our swimsuits and checked in right around the official check-in time.

Check-in at Hotel Naru Seoul is at 3 PM!

If you want to soak in the Han River view during the day before evening descends,

I highly recommend checking in around 3-4 PM.

(Talk about being early birds these days…)

While most rooms at Hotel Naru Seoul boast stunning Han River views,

do note that not all rooms offer this majestic vista.

So, if gazing out at the river is a must-have for you, be sure to confirm and specifically book a "river view" room!

[Check Hotel Naru Seoul Riverview Room Availability]

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But even most standard rooms in the ~$222 range offer a wonderfully expansive Han River view.

The sunset is also incredibly beautiful (though I missed it because I went out for dinner;;; make sure you catch it!).

And the night view of the Han River is just as stunning.

Before, when I came to Hotel Naru with my mom, it was so beautiful that we left all the curtains open and enjoyed the night view all night long...

This time,

I enjoyed the Han River night view from the comfort of my room, sipping on the delicious port wine I bought at the last wine fair.

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Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Hotel: Han River View, Space, Bed, Bathroom – What's Changed?

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Hotel Naru Seoul's rooms are quite spacious.

The full-length window offers a perfect view of the Han River and Mapo Bridge, with a sofa and desk right in front.

It's not just the Han River you see; the view also includes Mapo Bridge, making the car lights passing over it at night a truly beautiful sight!

Near the entrance of Hotel Naru Seoul's rooms, there's a convenient space to put your luggage and a large full-length mirror, perfect for checking your outfit before heading out.

And what I found to be the most convenient and thoughtful detail?

Do you see those shoes there...?

They're the slippers provided in the room!

(These aren't for taking home, they're for borrowing... but you can purchase them for a fee if you wish to keep them.)

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Do you usually worry about not being able to wear room slippers to the pool, or having your own shoes get wet and uncomfortable?

At Hotel Naru Seoul, you don't have to!

You can simply wear those special slippers provided by the hotel and comfortably head to the hotel pool.

Further inside, in a brown wardrobe-like space,

you'll find the refrigerator,

coffee maker, coffee, wine glasses, and more.

In Hotel Naru Seoul's rooms, beyond the usual beverages, you'll also find

Jeju Beer, Cass beer with its Korean-inspired design, and Hwayo Soju were also available.

(Of course, they all come with an extra charge…)

The bathroom space at Hotel Naru Seoul is quite spacious, and

the room we stayed in was laid out like this:

Upon entering, there was a large bathtub and a vanity,

and further inside, the shower stall and toilet compartment were separately enclosed by glass partitions.

First off, I absolutely loved how spacious the bathtub was within the hotel room,

even two people could comfortably fit at once!

The bathroom lighting at Hotel Naru Seoul is pretty decent too..

Selfies turn out pretty good, actually…

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3. Hotel Naru's Indoor and Outdoor Swimming Pools (Han River View Infinity Pool)

Hotel Naru Seoul Outdoor Swimming Pool

(Infinity Pool) Operating Hours

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6:30 AM – 10:00 PM |

Last entry: 09:00 PM

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Break Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

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[Infinity Pool Winter Closure Notice]

Closure Period: December 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027

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*The outdoor pool, indoor pool, and fitness center are closed on the second Tuesday of every month.

*If the second Tuesday is a public holiday,

the closure will be on the following Tuesday,

and closure dates are subject to change based on hotel circumstances.

*2026 Closure Dates: October 15, November 10

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Hotel Naru Review | Han River View Outdoor Pool, Rooms | Great Value 5-Star Mapo Hotel with Han River View | Winter, Autumn

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The pride of Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery,

the outdoor Han River view infinity pool!

It's a heated pool!

However, if you visit the pool around 5 PM, it's like this:

(Of course, I was in a hurry and didn't wipe my phone camera;;;)

There are a lot of people….

and with many kids around, it can get a bit hectic.

While the sunset Han River view from inside Hotel Naru's outdoor pool is indeed beautiful,

I wouldn't recommend it for couples,

but it seems great for families.

Beach chairs are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

After dinner, we headed to Hotel Naru's outdoor pool

around 8 PM? Or maybe 8:30 PM???

There were hardly any people,

it was spacious, great for swimming, and the Han River night view was absolutely stunning.

(It was a bit chilly, but the water was warm!)

It was a relief that it was a heated pool,

but since it gets a bit cold once you're out of the water,

it definitely seems better for families with kids to use it during the warmer evening hours.

You need to wear a swimming cap in Hotel Naru's indoor pool (available for purchase at entry).

For the outdoor pool, you don't necessarily need a swimming cap,

tying your hair back seemed to be enough.

In the past, the hotel's outdoor pool used to be open even in winter,

but the wind blowing in from the Han River was so incredibly cold,

I remember being the only one there….

That's why they now close the outdoor pool in winter!!!!

So, be sure to check, as the outdoor pool is closed from December to February,

and I hope you get to experience it soon!

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6. Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Hotel Lounge

Enjoy the panoramic Han River view,

while savoring coffee and cocktails.

Highly recommend visiting around sunset!

The Han River view from the room at sunrise is also beautiful,

(even if the lounge isn't open, you can still stand next to it and enjoy the view)

I also recommend checking out the Han River view from the lounge in the morning.

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7. Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery

Dining, Breakfast, and Nearby Restaurants

To be honest, the restaurant here isn't quite... up to par....

So we went out for dinner nearby.

The areas within walking distance, Mapo and Gongdeok, are popular with office workers,

so you'll find plenty of

izakayas and fried chicken places.

We went to a restaurant called 'Joyonghan Jeonyeok' (Quiet Evening)

located near Sogang University for dinner.

I'd eaten here a few years ago with my mom,

and it was delicious then, too.

It was delicious again this time.

Yum yum....

Among the bruschettas, the basil pesto was absolutely amazing, and the anchovy one was tasty too,

but personally, I've never been a huge fan of anchovies since my Italy trip, so I preferred the basil pesto.

The grilled chicken thigh was also delicious (I forgot to take a picture, boo hoo!)

and the crab bisque pasta was so incredibly good I scraped up every last drop of sauce.

We tried to act like we were on a blind date, pretending to have just met,

but we kept slipping into informal speech, which was hilarious.

#GongdeokBlindDateSpot #JoyonghanJeonyeok #JoyonghanJeonyeokHongdae #HongdaeDateCourse

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[Check availability for Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery]

I woke up early in the morning and

went to Hotel Naru's outdoor pool one more time...

This time, there were quite a few foreign couples using the pool.

The morning sun was quite bright, so sunglasses would be a good idea.

(Couldn't take photos this time)

I went to the convenience store right next to the hotel and

bought some Yukgaejang Cup Noodles, a true Korean comfort food, and ate it.

Hotel Naru has spacious rooms, a great pool, and a fantastic location for getting around,

making it highly recommended for families, couples, and foreign travelers visiting Korea.

To enjoy the Han River view all day long at this price,

for a 5-star hotel? I don't think it gets much easier than this!

Go quickly and often before hotel prices rise further and before winter sets in!

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Check out other Han River view hotels

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Signiel Seoul Hotel

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Signiel is located in Jamsil, offering high-rise Han River views.

A decent room starts from ~$592 and up.........

Conrad Seoul Hotel

(Honestly, even though it's in Yeouido, the Conrad Hotel doesn't really offer great Han River views...

so I wouldn't really recommend it for a Han River view.)

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